The Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) is taken after you graduate from an accredited PA program. It’s your final step to becoming a PA-C. The Physician Assistant National Recertification Exam (PANRE) is taken 9 to 10 years after the PANCE so you can remain certified.
Preparing for these comprehensive, 5-hour exams is no small task. By creating a detailed study plan, remaining consistent, and leveraging a comprehensive QBank, you can more effectively balance your review with work and personal obligations to pass the first time.
PANCE/PANRE Review Resources
Before reviewing exam material, familiarize yourself with the PANCE or PANRE. We’ve compiled a number of resources provided by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to help you prepare:
| PANCE Exam Info | |
|---|---|
| About PANCE | PANCE Blueprint |
| PANCE Registration | PANCE Scoring |
| PANRE Exam Info | |
|---|---|
| About PANRE | PANRE Blueprint |
| PANRE Registration | PANRE Scoring |
Take note of registration timelines and read through the NCCPA’s FAQs to familiarize yourself with additional testing logistics. Once you understand these details, you can focus on exam content. The PANCE and PANRE blueprints provide a detailed overview of medical content areas and professional practice tasks covered on each exam.
How to Study for the PANCE and PANRE
As you complete your PA program, align your class notes, textbooks, and end-of-rotation study materials with the PANCE blueprint. Create a targeted study plan and schedule to ensure you have enough time to cover each exam content area. You should also consider taking NCCPA practice tests and purchasing a dedicated question bank.
NCCPA Practice Exams
The NCCPA offers 2 PANCE and 2 PANRE practice tests. The PANCE and PANRE exams are about $50 each and consist of 120 practice questions covered over two 60-minute blocks. Take 1 early in your preparation to gauge your relative strengths and weaknesses as you develop your study strategy. The second practice exam should be taken closer to your real test date to simulate the exam’s testing format.
UWorld PA Study Materials
The Comprehensive UWorld PA QBank is a PA exam resource that will ensure you pass your didactics, EOR exams, and PANCE/PANRE. Our review materials and tools have been proven to increase exam scores for students and recertifying PAs. Our QBank features…
- A simulated exam interface to boost your confidence on test day
- Exam-style practice questions covering real-life clinical scenarios
- Detailed rationales that explain high-yield concepts and why answer options are correct or incorrect
- Vivid illustrations to aid in knowledge retention and better connect theory to practice
- Performance tracking that identifies your strengths and weaknesses by subjects, systems, and topics
- Customizable flashcards and premade ReadyDecks with spaced-repetition technology
- An integrated digital notebook that allows you to personalize notes from your QBank explanations
- A dynamic study planner that helps you build a study schedule around your availability and needs
- A comprehensive medical library with peer-reviewed articles that expand on clinical topics
How Long to Study for the PANCE and PANRE
Depending on your availability and comfort level with the exam material, you should plan to spend between 3 and 12 months preparing for the PANCE or PANRE. By giving yourself more time to study, you can hone in on your weaker content areas, spread out your review sessions, and accommodate work or other obligations.
- If you are finishing school and planning to take the PANCE, you have already been studying for the past 1 to 2 years through didactics, clinicals, and EOR exams. However, you will need to learn how to apply these concepts to the PANCE.
- If you actively practice and are planning to take the PANRE, you have valuable real-world experience that will apply to the exam. Unlike PA students, it may have been a while since your last standardized test. It may take time to get reacclimated and work around your busy schedule.
How to Create a PANCE or PANRE Study Schedule
Your study schedule should give you enough time to cover each tested topic, with additional time for your weaker content areas. The results of your Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment (PACKRAT) can help you pinpoint your study needs, as can taking an NCCPA practice exam. UWorld subscribers can also use our PANCE and PANRE study planner to create a personalized PANCE or PANRE study plan. If you prefer a traditional approach, see our comprehensive 3-, 6-, and 12-month study guides below.
Week 1
Study
- Cardiovascular system
To Do
- Use nccpa.net to review exam information and registration requirements
- Schedule your exam
- Use the UWorld QBank and create an end-of-week exam on cardiovascular
Week 2
Study
- Pulmonary system for 3 days
- Ears, eyes, nose, and throat (EENT) for 2 days
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank and create an end-of-week exam on pulmonary and EENT
Week 3
Study
- Endocrine system for 3 days
- Dermatologic system for 2 days
To Do
- Use nccpa.net to review exam information and registration requirements
- Use the UWorld QBank and create an end-of-week exam on the endocrine and dermatologic systems
Week 4
Study
- Gastrointestinal system/nutritional
To Do
- Take a timed UWorld practice exam with 60 questions and review the previous topics addressed in weeks 1-4
- Do something fun
Week 5
Study
- Musculoskeletal system
- Neurologic system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank and create an end-of-week exam on the musculoskeletal and neurologic systems
Week 6
Study
- Infectious disease (ID)
- Hematologic system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank and create an end-of-week exam on ID and the hematologic system
Week 7
Study
- Genitourinary system
- Renal
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank and create an end-of-week exam on the genitourinary and renal systems
Week 8
Study
- Reproductive system for 3 days
- Cardiovascular review and pulmonary review for 2 days
To Do
- Take a timed UWorld practice exam on all systems with 60 questions 2 times this week
Week 9
Study
- Psychiatry/behavioral science for 3 days
- Gastrointestinal, endocrinology, EENT review
To Do
- Take a timed UWorld practice exam on all systems with 60 questions 3 times this week
Week 10
Study
- Utilize your flashcards with spaced repetition and your UWorld notebook to review the following topics:
- Day 1: Musculoskeletal and neurological review
- Take a 60-question practice test on all systems
- Day 2: Dermatology review
- Take a 60 question practice test on all systems
- Day 3: Infectious disease & hematology review
- Take a 60-question practice test on all systems
- Day 4: Genitourinary, reproductive, renal review
- Take a 60-question practice test on all systems
- Day 5: Psychiatry review
- Take a 60-question practice test on all systems
To Do
- Something fun and relaxing
Week 11
Study
- Review your My Notebook notes or areas needing additional review
- Practice with your flashcards using spaced repetition
To Do
- Complete two 60-question timed practice tests daily with and without 15-minute breaks to improve test-taking stamina
- Ensure that you know where the testing center is located and what forms of ID are required for test day
- Relax
Week 12
To Do
- Simulate the testing environment by utilizing the UWorld QBank:
- For PANCE: Set up five 60-question blocks, with 15-minute breaks in between each block
- For PANRE: Set up four 60-question blocks, with 15-minute breaks in between each block
- Study your flashcards with spaced repetition (light review)
- Relax the day before your exam and review the “Things To Do the Day Before the PANCE/PANRE” section of this guide
Weeks 1-2
Prepare
- Visit nccpa.net to learn about the PANCE and PANRE and exam requirements
- Check with your program for your official completion date
- You can take the PANCE 7 days after your program completion date
- Registration for the PANCE or PANRE can be done 90 days prior to the chosen exam date
Study
- Dermatologic system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do dermatologic system questions weekly
Weeks 3-4
Study
- Infectious diseases
- Hematologic
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do ID and hematologic system questions weekly
Weeks 5-6
Study
- Musculoskeletal system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do musculoskeletal system questions weekly
Weeks 7-8
Study
- Genitourinary system (male and female)
- Reproductive system (male and female)
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do genitourinary and reproductive system questions weekly
Weeks 9-10
Study
- Pulmonary system
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat (EENT)
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do pulmonary system and EENT questions weekly
Weeks 11-12
Study
- Cardiovascular system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to create a 60-question practice test covering all the topics in weeks 1-12
Weeks 13-14
Check-In
- How prepared do you feel? How are you scoring on QBank questions? Which topics need additional review?
Study
- Neurologic system
- Psychiatry/behavioral sciences
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do neurologic and psychiatry questions weekly
- Register for the exam and look for available testing centers and dates
Weeks 15-16
Study
- Endocrine system
- Renal system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do endocrine and renal system questions weekly
Weeks 17-18
Study
- Gastrointestinal
- Review cardiovascular system
- Review endocrine system and renal system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank and take two 60-question practice tests
Weeks 19-20
Study
- Review pulmonary, ENT
- Review musculoskeletal, neurologic system
To Do
- Complete daily practice exams with 60 questions
- Complete a timed exam with 2 or 3 sections and breaks
Weeks 21-22
Study
- Utilize flashcards with spaced repetition, review your UWorld notebook entries
Week 21
- Day 1: Musculoskeletal and neurological review
- Day 2: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 3: Dermatology review
- Day 4: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 5: Infectious disease and hematology review
Week 22
- Day 6: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 7: Genitourinary, reproductive, renal review
- Day 8: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 9: Psychiatry review
- Day 10: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
Weeks 23-24
To Do
- Simulate the testing environment 1 to 3 times by utilizing the UWorld QBank:
- For PANCE: Set up five 60-question blocks, with 15-minute breaks in between each block
- For PANRE: Set up four 60-question blocks, with 15-minute breaks in between each block
- Study your flashcards with spaced repetition (light review)
- Relax, ensure you get adequate rest and sleep
- Review the “Things To Do the Day Before the PANCE/PANRE” section of this guide
Creating a 12-month study plan is beneficial for students and practicing PAs who prefer maximum flexibility, have busy schedules, or need to work around prolonged breaks. Pick an exam date and work backward to ensure you’re registered and ready:
- Mark 30 days prior to your exam as a check-in date to gauge your readiness.
- Mark 90 days prior to your exam to complete registration.
- Every month, do something to acclimate yourself to a lengthy exam (e.g., review a PACKRAT exam, complete an NCCPA practice exam, or take a 60-question practice test in the UWorld QBank).
Month 1
Prepare
- Visit nccpa.net to learn about the PANCE and PANRE and exam requirements
- Check with your program for your official completion date
- You can take the PANCE 7 days after your program completion date
- Registration for the PANCE or PANRE can be done 90 days prior to the chosen exam date
- Find a local study group or colleagues in the same testing time frame that you can prepare with
Month 2
Study
- Infectious diseases
- Hematologic system
- Dermatologic system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to practice topic-specific questions weekly
Month 3
Study
- Musculoskeletal system
- Pulmonary system
- Cardiovascular system: cardiomyopathy and hypertension focus
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do musculoskeletal and pulmonary system questions weekly
Check-In
- How is your studying pace? What has been effective? What can you improve?
- Consider making changes to your study schedule based on this check-in
Month 4
Study
- Genitourinary system (male and female)
- Reproductive system (male and female)
- Cardiovascular system: congenital heart disease focus
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do genitourinary and reproductive system questions weekly
Month 5
Study
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat (EENT)
- Cardiovascular: coronary heart disease focus
- Review commonly missed topics in dermatologic system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do pulmonary system and EENT questions weekly
- Take time to review areas where you may need additional help
Month 6
Study
- Cardiovascular system: all topics
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to create a 60-question practice test covering all topics reviewed thus far
Check-In
- How prepared do you feel? Which topics are you confident in? Do you need more or less focused study time?
Month 7
Study
- Neurologic system
- Psychiatry/behavioral sciences
- Review commonly missed topics in musculoskeletal and hematologic systems
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do neurologic and psychiatry questions weekly
Month 8
Study
- Endocrine system
- Renal system
- Review cardiovascular system with a focus on valvular diseases and medications
- Review pulmonary system with a focus on infectious disorders and treatments
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank to do endocrine and renal system questions weekly
Month 9
Study
- Gastrointestinal
- Review cardiovascular system: focus on conduction disorders
- Review endocrine system and renal system
To Do
- Use the UWorld QBank and take two 60-question practice tests
- Take a break and do something fun with family or friends
- Assess if you are on target to take the exam in approximately 90 days
Check-In
- How prepared do you feel? How are you scoring on QBank questions? Which topics need additional review?
Month 10
Register
- Register for the exam and look for available testing centers and dates
- Ensure all requirements will be met in time to register:
- For PANCE registration: Check to see if your program has released a completion date
- For PANRE registration: Ensure all required CME deadlines and payments have been met
Study
- Review ENT
- Review musculoskeletal and neurologic systems
- Review cardiovascular and pulmonary systems with a focus on most commonly missed areas
To Do
- Complete daily practice exams with 60 questions
- Complete a timed exam with 2 or 3 sections and breaks
Month 11
Study
- Utilize flashcards with spaced repetition and review your UWorld notebook entries
- Review any areas or topics where you feel you may need additional practice
To Do
- Relax! You have already come so far already
- Find some time to do things you love, reconnect with friends or family
Month 12
To Do
- Simulate the testing environment 1 to 3 times by utilizing the UWorld QBank:
- For PANCE: Set up five 60-question blocks, with 15-minute breaks in between each block
- For PANRE: Set up four 60-question blocks, with 15-minute breaks in between each block
Study
Review week 1:
- Day 1: Musculoskeletal and neurological review
- Day 2: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 3: Dermatology review
- Day 4: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 5: Infectious disease & hematology review
Review week 2:
- Day 6: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 7: Genitourinary, reproductive, and renal review
- Day 8: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
- Day 9: Psychiatry review
- Day 10: Take a 60-question practice test on all topics
2 weeks prior to exam:
- Study your flashcards with spaced repetition (light review)
- Relax, ensure you get adequate rest and sleep
- Plan for comfort measures: lunch, snacks, test-day clothes, etc.
- Review the “Things To Do the Day Before the PANCE/PANRE” section of this guide
Things To Do the Day Before the PANCE/PANRE
The night before the exam is not the time to cram or try to learn new material. Instead, focus on lowering your stress and building your confidence. For example:
- Relax, read a book for leisure, write in a journal, catch up with friends and family, or go for a walk.
- Gather the things you will need for test day:
- Pick out a comfortable outfit.
- Pack some snacks and water.
- Have your exam confirmation and IDs ready.
- Ensure you get a proper amount of sleep and set your alarm with enough time to get there early.
- Attitude is everything. Think positively and embrace your imminent success!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I don’t have a PANCE/PANRE study plan?
If you don’t have a study plan, create one based on your remaining days until your exam. Remember, you can take the PANCE as soon as 7 days after graduation or up to 1 year after your graduation date. If you are having trouble figuring out where to start, review our 3-, 6-, and 12-month PANCE/PANRE study plans to see which one works for you. You can also use the dynamic study planner available in our PA QBank.
How many UWorld questions should I answer daily to pass the PANCE?
PA students and practicing PAs who complete the entire UWorld PA QBank generally score higher on their exams. Start by dividing our total number of QBank questions by the number of days until your exam. For example: 2,000 questions ÷ 90 days ≈ 22 questions per day
You can then create your study schedule with this average in mind. Remember that practice questions are only 1 aspect of your exam prep. You should also take practice exams and review your weaker content areas. The key is to build a study plan that fits your needs.
